Discharge control means for stored pressure medium containers



July 18, 1933. MAPES 1,919,149

DISCHARGE CONTROLMEANS FOR STORED PRESSURE MEDIUM CONTAINERS Filed April 9; 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 INVENTOR DAN/EL MAPES ATTORNEY July 18, 1933.

D. MAPES DISCHARGE CONTRQL MEANS FOR STORED PRESSURE IEDIUM CONTAINERS Filqd April- 9! 1932 FIGURE.Z.

4 sheds-she? '2 INVENTOR DA NIEL MA PE 6 W a/\m ATTORNEY July 18, 1933.

DISCfiARGE CON'I'H OL MEANS FOR STORED PRESSURE MEDIUM CONTAINERS p. MAPES Filed A ril 9, 1932 4 Shets-Sheet s Hal/RE 5 I INVENTOR ATTORNEY July 18, 1933. D. m 5s I 4 DISCHARGE CONTROL MEANS FOR STORED PRESSURE IEDIUI CONTAINERS Filed Aprii 9. 19:52 '4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIGURE 5 INVENTOR DAN/EL MAPE5 I ATTORNEY Patented July 18, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DANIEL MAPES, OI UPPER MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ABSIGNOB TO WALTER KIDDE & COMPANY, INC., OF. NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 01' NEW YORK DISCHARGE CONTROL MEANS FOR STORED PRESSURE MEDIUM CONTAINERS Application filed April 9, 1932. Serial Io. 504,384.

The present invention relates to fire extinguishing apparatus employing a fire extmguishing liquid propelled by a medium stored under pressure in a cartridge or other container and embodies more specifically means for effecting a predetermined and definitely controlled rate of discharge of the pressure medium whereby to obtain a uniform discharge of the liquid fire extinguishing medium over a definite period of time.

The difiiculty has heretofore been encountered, due to uncontrolled release of the pressure medium, that the discharge of the liquid fire extinguishing medium has been non-uniform, resulting at the start in a stron stream of considerable range which un esirably weakens during the period of desired efiective discharge.

It has been proposed to overcome this difliculty by creating a more or less accurate discharge orifice at the time of effecting discharge of the pressure medium, but this solution at its best is unsatisfactory because of dependence of the accuracy of the orifice upon the disturbing factor of corrosion and upon other circumstances not controllable between the time of manufacture and the time of use.

The present invention on the other hand 0 broadly contemplates the provision of means having a predetermined fixed discharge controlling efi'ect whereby to efiect a definitely controlled discharge over a definite period of time.

More specifically the invention contemplates the provision of metering devices on pressure cartridges or containers comprising orifices, passages or equivalent discharge controlling means havin predetermined or re- 0 formed and/or teste discharge control ing A desirable advanta e of the resent invention is that the disc arge of t e pressure medium at a definitely controlled rate pre- 6 vents the building up of undue pressure in the liquid fire extinguishing medium container, such as might ru ture the container.

Further objects and eatures of the invention, not specifically enumerated above, will 0 be apparent as the invention. is described in her 14 containing means for effecting release greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical, central section of the upper portion of a pressure cartridge and metering device in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view of an extinguisher embodying the invention. I

Figure 3 is a view in central longitudinal section of a portion of the extinguisher shown in Figure 2 when in its inverted or operated position.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified type of metering device.

Figure 5 is another view similar to Figure 1 showing still another form of metering device.

In Figure 2 of the drawin s there is represented at 1 a standard shel or container for holding a liquid fire extin ishing medium, such as water, calcium c loride solution' or other suitable fire extinguishing medium, which is filled into the container u to the level of the filling indicator 2. The s all is provided with a handle 3 for carrying the extinguisher in an erect position, another handle 4 for carrying the extinguisher in an inverted position, a strainer 5, an outlet elbow 6, a standard hose 7 coupled to the outlet elbow and having a discharge nozzle 8. A. cage comprising an upper flange 9, a bottom plate 10 and suspension rods 11 is su ported upon a shoulder 12 in the neck of e shell and in turn supports a cartridge 13 containing a medium under pressure, such as liquid carbon dioxide, for propelling the liquid fire extinguishin medium from the she l. The cartridge 13 1s provided with a closure memof the pressure'medium from the cartridge,

said" releasing means becomin operative upon inversion and 'arring o the shell,

whereby to cause forci le engagement of the releasing means with a rojection 15 formed on a cap 16 and extending within the shell. The cap 16 is threaded to the neck of the shell with an intervening gasket 17 which not only effects a. leakage-tight joint with the shell, but secures the flange 9 of the cage againstmove- 10o ment. The cap 16 is otherwise standard,

being provided with a rim 18 for carryin the extin isher in an upright position an for eflectmg rotation of the cap.

In Figure 1 the reference numerals 13 and '14 have the same significance as in Figure 2. The closure member 14 is provided with a ,threaded extension 19 adapted to enga e,

leakage-tight, coo rating threads in t e neck of the cartri ge 13. At the lower end of the threaded extension 19 is shown a strainer 20 in the form of a screen which is shown secured to the extension by rollin 'over'a lip 21, the extension being provide with a central bore generally represented by the reference numeral 22. The assage 22 not only communicates through t e strainer 20 with the interior of the cartridge 13 but also communicates with a passage 23 terminatlng in a chamber generally indicated by the reference numeral 24.

I 29 of suitable material, the frangible disc and 65 material, the purpose of the 39 being to gasket being secured in position b rolling over a Ii 30 on the lowerrreduce portion of the thlmble 25. The gasket 29 should be of a material which'will seal the medium within thecontainer 13 w en the thimble 25 is tightened to bring the gasket 29into forcible contact with the seating surface 31 encirclin the passage 23.

The meterin evice for the embodiment of the invention s own in Figure 1 is constituted by the frangible discpuncturing element 32, which is not only provided with a chamfered cutting edge at its lowermost extremity, but

which passes with a close-working fit within the pama e 27 and which is reamed out at 33 to a closely predetermined diameter. In con sequence of-this construction, when the frangible disc 28 is ruptured and the pressure medium is released, the pressure medium cannot escape past the close-working fit between the puncturin element 32 and the passa 27, but can only ischargle through the pr etermined passa e 33 so 1: at the desired definitely controlled ischarge over a definite period of time is efiected.

The puncturing element 32 is normally maintained in its uppermost position by means of a flange .34 secured thereto and pressed upwardly by a spring'35 against a stop ring 36 which is secured against a shoulder 37 by rolling over of the metal 38 of the closure member 14. The assembly of the unit is completed by the insertion of a 'disc 39 of fragile material. such as thin bakelite or lass, a water-tight seal being efi'ected at 40 y means of sealing wax or othersuitable ressure tering device free from corrosion and to serve,-

when fractured, as an indication that the cartridge has been emptied, either accidentally, as by rupturin of the frangible disc 28 upon development 0 excessive pressure within the cartridge, or intentionally, in the manner about to be described.

With the extinguisher in its erect position as shown in Figure 2, operation of the extinguisher involves overturnin it, grasping it by the handle 4, and jarring the extinguisher as by striking it on the floor or ground, so as to cause the disc 39 (Figure 1) to be fractured by forcible contact with the projection 15 on the inner side of the cap 16. and the frangible disc 28 to be punctured by the element 32, in connection with which it should be noted that Figure 3 illustrates the inverted operated position of the extinguisher. As shown in both Fi res 2 and 3 the innermost end of the projection-15 is crossed-grooved at 41 to provide free escape of the pressure medium from the metering device passage 33 through the opening 42 in the stop ring 36 and thence past the fractured disc 39 into the liquid extinguishing medium in the shell 1, through which the pressure medium rises to the upper surface of the liquid medium, upon which the pressure acts to propel the liquid medium through the hose 7 and nozzle 8.

In view of the fact that the diameter-of the passage 33 can be accurately controlled at the time of manufacture, and in fact, subjected to a discharge rate test, it will be apparent that the desired rate of discharge can be obtained whenever an extinguisher is used so that a stream of liquid fire extinguishin medium of uniform range can he maintains over a desired predetermined period of time.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, those elements corresponding exactly to the same elements in Figure 1 have been similarly numbered and will not be described again.

In Figure 4 the meteringdevice is shown in the form of an accurately proportioned orifice 43 formed in a discv44 secured, leakage tight, in the passage 22. With this construction the same advantages are had as are obtained with the construction shown in Figure 1 but in the present embodiment of the invention the passage 45 through the disc puncturing element 32 is larger than the orifice 43 and exerts no controlling effect on the rate of dischar e.

In Figure 5 the metering device is s own in the form ofbulky porous material 46, such as closely packed steel wool or closely acked fibrous material such ascotton 'or b ottin material. In this construction a screen 4 is preferably employed and the desired redetermined quantity of porous materia is inserted in thepas sa 20 is secured in position in the manner described in connection with Figure 1. In this construction, as with the const u ctiewinFig 22 beforev the strainer on the rate of discharge. The control takes place, at which time the thimble 1sv raised so that the pressure medium may pass between the gasket 29 and the seating surface 31. The corresponding passage in F igure 4 is not shown and is accordingly to be assumed to be outside ofthe section shown.

It should be noted that the apparatus herein-described involves certain other features which are not unitary with the present 1nvention and which accordingly will be made the subject-matter of further applications.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have made decided improvements in stored pressure cartridges and containers for use with pressure propelled liquid fire extinguishing mediums, not only in respect of specific forms of construction, but also broadly in respectof providing Iedetermined scribed with specific reference to the accompanying drawings and the application of the invention to fire extinguishing apparatus, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

1. As an article of manufacture a vessel for containing a medium under pressure, said vessel being formed with at least one end open, a closure member for an open end of the vessel, a passage throu b said closure member, means to normally 0 ose the passage against the escape of the pressure medium and to permit the escape of the medium when desired, and means to control the rate of discharge of the medium from the vessel independently of the extent of opening of said passage by said last named means comprising a controlling element having a preformed fixed flow control characteristic.

2. The combination with a vessel for containing a medium under pressure having means to effect release of the medium therefrom, of means to control the rate of discharge of the medium from the vessel independently of the extent of opening'of the vessel by the means to effect release of the medium comprising a controlling element having a preformed fixed flow control characterlstic.

3. As an article of manufacture a vessel for contalnlng a medium under pressure, said vessel being formed with at least-one end open, a closure member for an open end of the vessel, a passage through said closure member, means Within the closure member to close the passage against the escape of the pressure medium and to permit the. escape of the medium when desired, and means within the closure member to control the rate of.

discharge of the medium from the vessel independently of the extent of opening of said passage by said last named means, comprising a controlling element having a preformed fixed flow control characteristic.

4. As an article of manufacture a vessel for containing a medium under pressure, said vessel being formed with at least one end open, a closure member for an open end of the' vessel, a passage through said closurev member, means within the closure member to close the passage a ainst the escape of the pressure medium an to permit the escape of the medium when desired, and means within the closure member to control the rate of discharge of the medium from the vessel independently of the extentof opening of said passage by said lastnamed means comprising a controlling element having a preformed fixed flow control characteristic, said controlling means comprising a restricted passage having a preformed accurately controlled cross-sectional area.

5. As an article of manufacture a vessel for containing a medium under pressure, said vessel being formed with at least one end open, a closure member for an open end of the vessel, a passage through said closure member, means within the closure member to close the passage against the escape of the pressure medium and to permit the escape of the medium when desired, and means within the closure member to control the rate of discharge of the medium from the vessel independently of the extent of opening of said passage by said last named means comprising a controlling element having a preformed fixed flow control characteristic, said controlling means comprising an orifice having a preformed accurately controlled cross-sectional area.

6. As an article of manufacture a vessel for containing a medium under pressure, said vessel being formed with at least one end open, a closure member for an open end of the vessel, a passage through said closure member, means within the closure member to close the passage against the escape of the.

pressure medium and to permit the escape the closure member to control the rate of discharge of theimedium from the vessel independently of the extent of opening ofsaid passage bysaid last named means comprising a controlling element having a preformed fixed flow control characteristic, said, controllin means comprising bulky porous material axing a testedrate ofdischarge controlling efi'ect.

8. As an article of manufacture a vessel for containing a medium under pressure, said vessel being formed with at least one end open, a closure member for an open end of the vessel, a passagethrough said closure member, means within the closure member to close thepassage against the escape of the pressure medium and to permit the-escape of the medium when-desired, and means within the closure member to control the rate of discharge of the medium from the vessel independently of the extent of the opening of said passage by said last named means comprising a controlling element'having a' preformed fixed flow control characteristic, said controlling means-being situated within the portion of the aforesaid passage in the closure-member between said vessel'and the' means closing said passage against the escape of the pressure medium.

a 9; As an article of manufacture a vessel for containing a medium under pressure, said vessel being formed with at least one end open, a closure member for an open end of the vessel, a passage through said closure member,

na frangible disc within the closure member to close the passage against the escape of, the pressure medium, securing means to secure :the disc over the end of the passage, a passage through the securing means, and puncturing means to puncture the disc to permit the escape of the medium when desired, 1 said puncturing means .being provided with a passage of preformed accurately controlled cross-section to permit definitely controlled discharge of the medium therethrough independently bf the extent of opening of said frangible disc by said puncturing means and being formed for a close-working fitwithin the passage in the securing means to prevent escape of the mediumpas-tthe close-working fit to an extent which would negative the controlling effect ing means.

- 10. As an article of manufacture a vessel for containing a medium under premure, said.

vessel being formed with at least one end open, a closure member for an open end of of the passage in the puncture,

the vessel, a passage through said closure 7 member, means within the closure member to close the passage against the escape of the pressure medium and to permit the escape of the medium when desired, means'within the closure member to control the rate of discharge of the medium from the vessel independen'tly of the extent of opening of said passage by said last name d means comprising a controlling element having a preformed fixed flow control characteristic, said controlling means com-prising'a restricted passage having a preformed accurately controlled cross-sectional area, and strammg means within the closure member for preventing conveyance to the restricted passage 11. As an article of manufacturing a vessel for containing a medium under pressure, said vessel being formed with at least one end open, a closure member for an open end of the vessel, a passa e through said closure member, means Wit in the closure member to close the passage against the escape of the pressure medium and to permit the escape of the medium when desired, means within the closure member to control the rate of discharge of the medium from the vessel independently of the extent of opening of said passage by said last named means comprising a controlling element havin a preformed fixed flow control characteristic, and

straining means within the closure member for preventing conveyance to the controlling means of material which'would clog it and destroy its controlling effect.

. DANIEL MAPES.

of material which would clogthe restricted passage and destroy its controlling effect. 

